Born That Way?

[Michie]

The causes of homosexuality are infamously difficult to pin down. Science (in the American Psychological Association) and religion (in the Catechism of the Catholic Church) have agreed that, in the current state of things, there is no single cause to which we can definitively point and say, “Here, we have found it!” Indeed, in some circles, the discussion is about homosexualities, to remain open to the possibility that one person’s homosexuality might not have the same origin as another person’s homosexuality. These questions never cease to intrigue, and once again, they have hit the news with a new study suggesting that epigenetics may lie at the root of the development of homosexual orientation.

Investigations of the etiology of homosexuality may be interesting, especially insofar as they shed light on the origins of human sexuality in general. However, these investigations have tended to be ideologically driven on all sides. This has particularly tended to manifest around the idea that one is “born gay,” with many gay activists flatly refusing to consider the possibility that a gay person is not “born gay,” while many religious conservatives have responded with a mirror refusal to consider the possibility that one is. What exactly is meant by “born gay” often seems to have little significance; the phrase itself becomes the shibboleth which one camp must blindly accept and the other must utterly anathematize.

This ideological commitment to a particular answer to these questions suggests underlying premises. It seems that all are agreed that, if one is born gay, it would necessitate revising traditional morality in ways which one side wants, and the other does not. There seems to be an echo of the old zoological argument, where one points to homosexuality among bonobos and dolphins to prove that it should not be opposed among human beings. There, the traditional moralist was usually quick to see through the facade, and see that “nature” was being used equivocally.

Continued- Born That Way? | First Things

 

[Forge3]

Whatever....

 

[zaida]

whether one is born that way or not - we still have a responsibility (see the catechism) to be kind, supportive, and compassionate to all people. It really breaks my heart to hear/see the treatment people get - I wonder how many people have and love gay family members/friends? I do.

 

[JBMM]

The Catechism does teach us to respect and have compassion for homosexuals. That said, I fully agree with this article.

Thanks, Michie.

 

[AnthonyMichaelPraisesGod]

Even the advancement of genetic research is not enough to convince all parties that there is no choice involved in being a homosexual. Actually, scratch that, there IS a choice.
Just like there IS a choice in being heterosexual. Or wait, maybe there isnt. Oops.

But I do ENTIRELY agree that we should love one another without condition, because that is what Christ teaches. Hallelujah, mercy be! :3

 

[MKJ]

It seems that all are agreed that, if one is born gay, it would necessitate revising traditional morality in ways which one side wants, and the other does not.

What - that is silly. All are not agreed on that at all.

It is unfortunate that some Christians seems to think that is the case, as it means they go around making stupid arguments. But by no means do all think that.

 

[ebia]

What - that is silly. All are not agreed on that at all.

It is unfortunate that some Christians seems to think that is the case, as it means they go around making stupid arguments. But by no means do all think that.

That was exactly what struck me as well.

 

[Gwendolyn]

. It seems that all are agreed that, if one is born gay, it would necessitate revising traditional morality in ways which one side wants, and the other does not.

What? We do NOT all agree on that.

I support the notion that for some people, their sexual orientation is so innate that they never consciously choose it. However, I disagree that I must therefore toss out "traditional" morality.

The presence of sin in this world (not personal sin, but the general sin) means that the world is fallen, and with that fallenness comes a whole lot of stuff that is out of order with what God desires of us. Homosexual attraction is out of order with what God desires of us, whether it is innate or not.

Besides, homosexual activities are sinful. Actions. Not the mere fact of feeling an attraction. Morality is based on action, not on simply existing or experiencing the world a certain way.

 

[ebia]

What? We do NOT all agree on that.

I support the notion that for some people, their sexual orientation is so innate that they never consciously choose it. However, I disagree that I must therefore toss out "traditional" morality.

The presence of sin in this world (not personal sin, but the general sin) means that the world is fallen, and with that fallenness comes a whole lot of stuff that is out of order with what God desires of us. Homosexual attraction is out of order with what God desires of us, whether it is innate or not.

Besides, homosexual activities are sinful. Actions. Not the mere fact of feeling an attraction. Morality is based on action, not on simply existing or experiencing the world a certain way.

Reading the rest of the blog, it seems that "seems"'is actually the key word there.

 

[AnthonyMichaelPraisesGod]

Besides, homosexual activities are sinful. Actions. Not the mere fact of feeling an attraction. Morality is based on action, not on simply existing or experiencing the world a certain way.

False.

…39And the Lord said to him, Now do you Pharisees make clean the outside of the cup and the platter; but your inward part is full of ravening and wickedness. 40You fools, did not he that made that which is without make that which is within also? 41But rather give alms of such things as you have; and, behold, all things are clean to you. …

This is true of all things.
Give alms of what you have.
Namaste, sister.

 

[WarriorAngel]

dbl

 

[WarriorAngel]

Luke
Denunciation of the Pharisees and Scholars of the Law.*



37s After he had spoken, a Pharisee invited him to dine at his home. He entered and reclined at table to eat.t 38The Pharisee was amazed to see that he did not observe the prescribed washing before the meal.u 39The Lord said to him, “Oh you Pharisees!v Although you cleanse the outside of the cup and the dish, inside you are filled with plunder and evil. 40You fools! Did not the maker of the outside also make the inside? 41But as to what is within, give alms, and behold, everything will be clean for you. 42Woe to you Pharisees! You pay tithes of mint and of rue and of every garden herb, but you pay no attention to judgment and to love for God. These you should have done, without overlooking the others.




Basically - He is mocking their idea that washing everything makes them clean on the inside - but it does not....
Mistranslating this verse ignores specifically what Jesus was saying...

 

[Chany]

What - that is silly. All are not agreed on that at all.

It is unfortunate that some Christians seems to think that is the case, as it means they go around making stupid arguments. But by no means do all think that.

I agree. I didn't bother reading the article after reading that line.

 

[Kurama]

Personally I don't think homosexuality is caused by environmental factors (though there are many nihilists who pretend to be gay in order to destroy morals), I believe that some people (very small amount, about 2% of the global population) are born with explicit attraction to people of the same gender.

It's a mental disorder and should be treated as such. That's why homosexuals must be shown love and accepted for who they are. I agree that the ''ex-gay'' movement has caused more harm than anything else (forcing homosexuals to marry people of the opposite gender, creating unhappy marriages and upset children)...thus celibacy is the righteous path. Many priests have same-sex attraction, some are open about it. We must not discriminate against them in any way.

For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God...homosexuality is a sin, lying is a sin, blasphemy is a sin, adultery is a sin, lust is a sin, stealing is a sin...we're all in the same boat here.

 

[cmarie423]

For me personally I used to be extremely attracted to females. I remember always thinking women were much more attractive then men. Sexually though. I think for most people it's about sex. I can't speak for everyone but I know for me that's what it was ever since I went though puberty. Now, I don't even think twice about it anymore after I really started following Christ and I don't even find women attractive anymore in that regard. Do I think people are born that way? Who knows? I don't. I don't know why I felt that way for so long, but when I got older and more mature it started becoming a conscious choice. I don't think it's a mental disorder like Karuma mentioned but I believe it's a sexual perversion like infidelity etc. that tons of people are dealing with and they need God to help them overcome it

 

[AnthonyMichaelPraisesGod]

if you take the bible absolutely literally, then it's really a book mostly about trees....
Jesus spoke to us in parables... so the hardness of our hearts would keep us from seeing His beauty

 

[AnthonyMichaelPraisesGod]

if Christ came here to teach us that washing dishes doesn't make us righteous, then why did we kill Him?? His teachings are applicable to life, otherwise, He teaches in vain, which, as we all know, is not true :3

 

[Irenaeus]

Discussion about the causes of Same Sex Attraction is really the metier of those in psychology and anthropology, although in light of the politicization of the topic, I doubt very sincere and honest research is permitted to be done.

Theologically and morally its origins are of very little interest to us.

The basic Augustinian/Biblical idea has to come back to our consciousness: that we are all broken human beings due to Original Sin, and sexuality is a particular manifestation of that, and a particularly important one, because it can severely degrade human beings, and affect future generations who are yet to be born.

Jesus and the Church don't care whether someone is inculpably attracted to men, women, animals, vegetables or minerals. What matters is what we do with those attractions.

 

[Kurama]

For me personally I used to be extremely attracted to females. I remember always thinking women were much more attractive then men. Sexually though. I think for most people it's about sex. I can't speak for everyone but I know for me that's what it was ever since I went though puberty. Now, I don't even think twice about it anymore after I really started following Christ and I don't even find women attractive anymore in that regard. Do I think people are born that way? Who knows? I don't. I don't know why I felt that way for so long, but when I got older and more mature it started becoming a conscious choice. I don't think it's a mental disorder like Karuma mentioned but I believe it's a sexual perversion like infidelity etc. that tons of people are dealing with and they need God to help them overcome it

In China homosexuality was considered a mental disorder until 2001...now it is simply unrecognised (perhaps even better, the LGBT are illegal thank goodness). If it really is a sexual perversion, why are the majority of people who practise this disgusting filth so happy with themselves? No happiness is found in sin, only deceit and hate. They must be mental to indulge in these horrid activities and enjoy it.... Atheists feel guilty when they kill, steal or lie (our consciences are given by God)...why would homosexual acts be any different?

Homosexuality is unnatural and goes against human nature. Charles Darwin could not prove that homosexuality played any part in the evolutionary model, except for the fact that homosexuals would not be able to breed and thus were a ''weaker part'' of the human race. If the ''gay gene'' indeed exists...it surely isn't being passed to future generations!

Thus I can only affirm that homosexuality is arguably a medical disorder that occurs very rarely, perhaps due to permanent hormonal inbalances. I hope that a cure is made so that those suffering from this disorder may live normal lives.

 

[AvilaSurfer]

False.

…39And the Lord said to him, Now do you Pharisees make clean the outside of the cup and the platter; but your inward part is full of ravening and wickedness. 40You fools, did not he that made that which is without make that which is within also? 41But rather give alms of such things as you have; and, behold, all things are clean to you. …

This is true of all things.
Give alms of what you have.
Namaste, sister.

You're misinterpreting scripture.